Journal of the Monster Hunter

The Crucible Pt. 2

(Author's Note: TW for attempted/implied SA and gore)

1/14/22

As I pursued the False Wendigo through the forests, I felt entirely focused on a single goal: tracking the beast. My senses sharpened, I could see it's foot prints easier, I was following it's scent when I couldn't see the tracks. But soon, a noise took my out of a trance when the Skin Walker from earlier landed in front of me, I slid to a halt. "Are you sure you know what you're getting into, colonizer?" He asked as he morphed back into a human form. The Skin Walker was roughly 6'3", had long braided black hair down to the middle of his back, and was of Navajo descent. His eyes were a bright blue and if I had to make a guess, he was in his mid thirties. He had some ceremonial paint on his face. We were ordered not to engage Skin Walkers unless they attacked first as often times they are extremely dangerous. Not only this, but they generally keep to themselves unless provoked. Being human in origin, every Skin Walker is different in personality.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Now move. I'll kill that thing and save my friends or die trying." I responded as I attempted to walk past him.

The Skin Walker put his arm out and stopped me. "You'll die trying. It either takes a group of highly trained Agency soldiers or one skilled in magic to kill a, what do your people call it...a False Wendigo?"

"What do you know?" I moved his arm out of the way.

"I know that it's luring you, it doesn't intend to harm your friends." He says as he backed away from me. "These beasts are much more intelligent than your Agency believes."

"Thanks for the warning." I continued to follow the trail.

"What are you?" The Skin Walker asks as he shifted into a mix of a wolf legs, elk antlers and a bear head and moose body. "You're not human...I can tell that much." He started to follow me, staying in the trees.

"You know, I'm starting to get really fuckin' tired of that question." I said as I watched the Skin Walker. I focused my eyes back on the trail.

"Doesn't answer my question. You can see in the night without the help of those goggles. You're stronger than the average human. You're faster than the average human. Your reflexes are faster, your hearing is better. If I had to guess, your sense of smell is also better and you seem pretty fixed on those tracks. So I ask again...what are you?"

I remained quiet for a few seconds. "I'm what's called a Hunter. But that thing called me something else."

"Ahhh...and what did it call you?"

"Theshura." I responded.

The Skin Walker let out a deep laugh. "That's an Old Elven word, millennia before my time. It was the word for Destroyer...as in a title. If I'm correct...oh this will be much more interesting than I thought. I'll be sure to keep an eye on you...if you make it out."

"Good luck breaching the perimeter." I said as the scent of the False Wendigo grew stronger. I then came to a cave and checked my ammo.

"How do you think I got in here?" The Skin Walker retorted. I began to walk into the beast's lair. I noticed the Skin Walker wasn't following.

I turned to face the Skin Walker whom just sat at the entrance of the cave. "You coming?"

"Not everyone has a death wish like you do, kid." The Skin Walker replied, shifting back into its human form. "Good luck in there, you'll need it." With that, the Skin Walker leapt back into the trees.

I turned back towards the den and began advancing through the cave with my rifle raised. I checked every nook and cranny, I wasn't going to let this beast get the drop on me. Much to my disappointment, I found the False Wendigo in the open. In fact, it sat in some sort of throne. It stood at least twelve feet tall, glowing red eyes peering at me through the eye sockets of the elk skull. It was standing there, waiting for me. Surrounding it were bones and corpses of animals, people, and a few cadets. "So you came, Theshura."